2026 Korea Cosmetic Treatment Price Guide · Updated August 22, 2026
Korea's VAT refund for cosmetic procedures ended for treatments from January 1, 2026. Check the final VAT-inclusive amount before comparing current Korea treatment deals.
Quick Answer
No. The special VAT refund for cosmetic medical procedures provided to foreign patients ended on December 31, 2025.
Treatments received from January 1, 2026 are no longer eligible. This does not mean that every clinic price automatically became 10% higher. Some clinics already include VAT, while others add it separately. Compare the final amount after VAT and any additional fees.
This article covers cosmetic treatments received at clinics. Retail tax-free shopping is a separate system.
Jump to
2. Will treatment cost 10% more?
3. Four things to check before booking
The foreign-patient VAT refund was not extended to cosmetic treatments received in 2026.
Until the end of 2025, eligible foreign patients could receive a refund of the VAT paid on certain cosmetic medical services in Korea. That special refund ended for treatments received from January 1, 2026.
The change affects the refund after payment. It does not create one universal price rule for every clinic. A clinic may show a tax-inclusive amount, list VAT separately, or charge for items such as anesthesia, medication, tests, recovery garments or additional treatment areas outside the first advertised number.
An old guide saying “get 10% back” is therefore not a reliable way to estimate a 2026 treatment budget. Ask for a final, itemized quote and compare what is actually included.
Korea JoongAng Daily reported in December 2025 that the VAT refund program for foreign cosmetic patients would end after 2025. Source: Korea JoongAng Daily, December 18, 2025.
Not automatically. It depends on whether the clinic's displayed price already includes VAT.
The same displayed number can produce a different final payment. Use the price condition beside the number, not the number alone.
| Displayed price | Price condition | Minimum amount paid |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000,000 KRW | VAT included | 1,000,000 KRW |
| 1,000,000 KRW | VAT excluded | 1,100,000 KRW |
| 1,000,000 KRW | VAT and anesthesia excluded | 1,100,000 KRW plus anesthesia |
Add VAT only when it is excluded, then include anesthesia, medication and tests before comparing the final amount payable.
For example, a 950,000 KRW quote excluding VAT becomes 1,045,000 KRW after tax. A separate 1,000,000 KRW VAT-included quote is actually 45,000 KRW lower before any other fees are considered.
Compare VAT included with VAT included.
Then check the treatment amount, supporting costs and conditions that can change after consultation.
A useful quote tells you the tax condition, exact treatment amount, supporting costs and possible changes before you decide.
1. Is VAT included?
Ask whether the displayed amount is the final VAT-inclusive price. If VAT is excluded, add 10% before comparing it with another quote.
2. What exact treatment is included?
Confirm the treatment area, shot count, dosage, implant type or number of sessions. Similar names can include different amounts.
3. Are supporting costs included?
Check anesthesia, medication, tests, follow-up care and recovery items that are relevant to the procedure.
4. What can change after consultation?
Ask whether BMI, treatment area, surgical method or a change in the medical plan could add cost.
Confirm VAT, the exact treatment amount, supporting costs and possible plan changes before booking.
Compare the VAT-inclusive final price, not the advertised number alone.
The cards below show current All about MEI plastic surgery and cosmetic treatment deals in Korea, not national market averages. Use them to compare listed prices, then open each deal to confirm VAT, treatment amount, inclusions, additional costs and booking conditions.
Current Korea lifting and skin treatment deals range from injectable skin boosters to device-based Ultherapy, XERF and Ultherapy Prime packages. Compare the listed price, shot count or dosage, VAT status and included aftercare before deciding which offer has the lower final cost.
Current Korea facial surgery deals include upper eyelid fat grafting, nose bridge augmentation and facial contouring. The final price can change with the surgical area, anesthesia, implant or material choice, tests and postoperative care, so compare the complete quote rather than the starting price.
Here is one current before-VAT example: MARBLE’s double eyelid deal starts at 800K KRW, but the final total depends on VAT, surgical method and optional corrections.
Current Korea body contouring and breast procedure deals include mini liposuction, a BBL body contour package and breast fat grafting. Check VAT, anesthesia, medication, recovery garments, treated areas and BMI-related charges before comparing the final amount.
Deal prices and terms can change. Use the current listing to confirm VAT, inclusions and additional costs instead of treating an example price as permanent.
Even though the government refund has ended, eligible bookings through the All about MEI app may earn 3% back in Credits after treatment. An approved TALKS review submitted within 30 days may add another 3%, for up to 6% in total.
Credits are an All about MEI benefit, not a government VAT refund. Do not subtract them from the amount payable to the clinic.
The cosmetic medical VAT refund ended for treatments received in 2026.
Do not calculate a 2026 budget by subtracting an expected refund. Confirm whether VAT is included, check the treatment amount and additional costs, then compare the final payable amount on the current deal page.
No. The special VAT refund ended for cosmetic medical treatments received from January 1, 2026.
It varies. Some clinics show VAT-included prices and others add 10% VAT separately, so confirm the tax condition on the individual listing or quote.
Not in every case. If the displayed price already includes VAT, another 10% should not be added. If VAT is excluded, include it when calculating the final price.
No. This article concerns cosmetic medical procedures at clinics. Retail tax-free shopping is a separate system with its own eligibility and purchase rules.
Current deals make treatment inclusions and additional charges easier to compare. Eligible app bookings may also receive 3% in Credits after treatment and another 3% for an approved TALKS review submitted within 30 days.
Sources
Korea JoongAng Daily, “Foreign tourists rushing to cosmetic clinics before longtime VAT refund program ends,” December 18, 2025.
Restriction of Special Taxation Act, Article 107-3, Korea Law Information Center (국가법령정보센터).
Sources are provided as text attribution only. No external source link is included.
STAY ALERTED
Use the All about MEI app to follow clinics, treatments and current deals so you can compare the price you will actually pay under today’s rules.
Plan with the payable total, not an expired tax-refund assumption.
Not ready to consult today? Keep your interest with All about MEI.
